Creative Identity

Program Aide Job Description               

WAGE: $17/hour (entry level)                         

STATUS: Full-Time Employee

BENEFITS: Health Insurance, Paid Time Off                   

ACCOUNTABILITY: Reports to Executive Director and Program Director

JOB SUMMARY: The Program Aide will prepare lesson plans for various client levels and conduct life skills and prevocational skill-based classes that provide an opportunity for clients to achieve their goals and objectives and develop their creative skills. The aide will guide the clients with their work and provide opportunities for them to do as much as they are able for themselves, thereby fostering their independence. The Program Aide will plan, organize supplies, and assist clients at craft fairs, set up and facilitate special events, and annual winter and summer concerts.

Skills and educational requirements:

  • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

  • Must have the ability to perform all job duties as assigned in a timely and accurate manner

  • Ability to deal effectively with participant behavioral issues

  • Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs.

  • Must pass a pre-employment background check

  • Must have a High School diploma at the minimum-Higher education is well regarded

  • Experience with developmentally disabled population is desirable

Inter-relationships:

  • Direct contact with participants, instructors, interns, administrators, and participant caseworkers

  • Some contact with participant family members/caregivers/support circles

  • Must be able to accept and implement directions from staff, and respond to participants and staff in a respectful manner at all times

Working conditions:

  • Must have a vehicle for traveling to and from the program facility and participant events in the community

  • Must be able to meet flexible schedule and be open to all assignments

  • Must be available some weekends and evenings during the year to provide support to participants at community events such as craft fairs, participant outings, and participant performances

Duties and responsibilities:

  • Create curriculum in response to inter-departmental collaboration and/or in response to program director requests.

  • Instruction of designated and approved curriculum.

  • Attend all staff meetings, rehearsals and concerts, and take an active role during these functions.

  • Follow all Creative Identity procedures in the timely documentation of services, including but not limited to: client daily documentation, monthly client summaries, Special Incidents Reports, client seizure records, requests for funds or time off documentation, etc.

  • Inform all directors of noteworthy observations regarding any client’s health or safety concerns, progress or challenges needing attention, and also contribute suggestions for client goals and objectives (for Individual Service Plan or ISP) based on instructor’s best assessment.

  • Advocate for clients whenever appropriate and necessary.

  • Maintain a safe working area environment for clients and staff.

  • Follow protocol and assist in all aspects of the program, including, but not limited to: being prepared for classes before their scheduled start time, organizing clients for morning stretching class and assisting them in participating, following class schedule for client progress update (5-10 minutes before break times) and documentation, implementing timely class clean-up/break-down times utilizing client assistance), and overseeing proper care and storage of all supplies and client work.

  • Monitor general supervision of clients.

  • Plan classes within program budget, and instructor is responsible for life skills supply inventory maintenance and documentation

  • Represent Creative Identity, its program, clients, and staff in a professional and promoting manner: at program events, in community contact with other businesses or persons, and in any interactions with parents/caregivers/agency representatives.

  • Provide direction/guidance to program aides, interns, fieldwork students, and volunteers as needed.

  • On-going development of marketable products by clients.

  • Dependable and on-time attendance on scheduled days, and timely notification (by 7:00 am of scheduled day) of absence due to illness.

  • Perform other related duties as required and/or assigned, especially with regards to serving the needs of the clients, including transportation of clients.